George T. Cook

George T. Cook, 82, passed away peacefully at home with family by his side on December 16, 2025.
George was born in Detroit Michigan on January 8, 1943, as George Theodore Coukoulis. His family immigrated from Greece and in his teens the family name was shortened to Cook. George was a 1961 graduate of Cody High School in Detroit; he attended and graduated from Hillsdale College in 1966 where he played Football for Muddy Waters playing both sides of the line as a Quarterback and Lineman. Football was only one season, and George excelled and loved sports, so he also played Baseball for Hillsdale College as a Catcher. George was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. While attending Hillsdale College, he met his first wife, Lorena, and upon graduation he moved his young and growing family back to Detroit to take a teaching job. Eventually, with four children, Lorena insisted on moving back to her hometown of Hillsdale and George followed which is where they stayed. George began teaching High School Math at North Adams in 1976 and that is where his life story and legacy truly began. George, always a passion for sports, began coaching Football for North Adams High School (later North Adams-Jerome). George coached the Rams Football team for 40 years including 2000-2015 as an Assistant Coach to his youngest son Bryan. In 1977, George started the North Adams High School Girls Softball program, and he continued as its Head Coach until retiring in 2020. Under George's coaching, the Softball program won 18 League Titles and 12 District Titles, while George earned District Coach of the Year 12 times. "Mr. Sweet and Wonderful" as he liked to call himself, touched so many lives at North Adams on the field, in his classroom, and in his community. Dad's ability to make math understandable was a gift like no other. Many students, with different math teachers, came to Mr. Cook for help and he took time to make his passion understandable and learnable. When George finally retired as a teacher full time, he could not stay retired, so he worked part time teaching one math class a day at the High School and working as a substitute teacher when needed. George was loved by his family, friends, students and players, and community and in turn George loved these threefold.
George was active in his community including the North Adams Lions Club and North Admas-Jerome Athletic Booster Club serving as various officer positions over the years right until his passing. If the Lions or the Boosters were holding a raffle or fundraiser, George was selling tickets and raising money for his community.
George is survived by his Wife of almost 20 years, Cinthia (Tash). George's four children survive him: Michelle Smith (Bill) of Hillsdale, T.G. Cook of Hillsdale, Bryan Cook (Jennifer) of North Adams, and Melynda Cook Howard (Greg) of Middletown Ohio. George loved his grandchildren Thayer, Regan (Chadwick), Gracie, Callie, and Lorena and his precious twin granddaughters Sage and Violet. George is also survived by his stepchildren Jayson (Marcie) Chapman and Andrea Chapman, along with grandchildren Chloe, Alayh, Tera, and Weston. George is survived by his siblings Terry (Charlene) and Kathleen of Arizona. George is also survived by Shiloh, his beloved round kitty. George was preceded in death by his first wife and Mother of his children, Lorena "Rena", his son-in-law Bill Smith, and his parents Theodore and Kathleen Cook (Murphy).
The Family asks the community, friends, former players and students to join them for celebration and memorial on Monday December 22, 2025, for Visitation 4 – 6 pm, Service beginning at 6, and a light meal and desserts thereafter all occurring at the North Adams High School, 4555 Knowles Road, North Adams Michigan. Visitation and Service will be held in the main Gymnasium and the meal after will be in the Auxiliary gymnasium. Services are provided by Hampton Funeral Homes.
In lieu of Flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the North Adams Lions Club, the North Adams-Jerome Athletic Boosters Club, or the Greater Hillsdale Humane Society.